Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is simplistic to say the money is in the Office of Public Works for local authorities to move forward and identify projects. Taking the scale of the Shannon, local authorities may not have the expertise to formulate solutions for rural aspects. The Minister of State mentioned that the CFRAM report is centred on urban populations but in rural areas, have we identified projects specifically for the Shannon that we can carry out, with money there to do it? Under the minor works scheme, I fear authorities will not have the capacity to do it.